Female Card Counters
March 15th, 2013 at 6:39:34 AM
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I'm a female in her mid-30's who has recently become interested in card counting both for the challenge of learning something new and possibly supplementing my income. As I do my reading, research and practice it seems as though card counting is a male dominated world. Is this an accurate perception and do you think that female card counters have a better chance to "fly under the radar"?
March 15th, 2013 at 6:41:29 AM
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Yes and if you happen to be a minority, then you would double your chances! Good cards!
When a rock is thrown into a pack of dogs, the one that yells the loudest is the one who got hit.
March 15th, 2013 at 6:43:35 AM
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Quote: WildatHeartIs this an accurate perception and do you think that female card counters have a better chance to "fly under the radar"?
Yes and yes. What few female card counters there are have at least double the earning ability as males I would roughly estimate. I wish you success.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
March 15th, 2013 at 6:48:53 AM
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Not a minority, but a flirtatious, reasonably attractive, innocent looking blonde so I might be able to use the "blonde bimbo" stereotype to my advantage....lol
March 15th, 2013 at 6:50:31 AM
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Thanks for your good wishes. I'm heading to Vegas this weekend to practice my basic strategy skills and I'm a little nervous! Any advice?
March 15th, 2013 at 6:51:29 AM
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Quote: DeMangoYes and if you happen to be a minority, then you would double your chances! Good cards!
Fighting BS one post at a time!
March 15th, 2013 at 6:55:51 AM
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Quote: WildatHeartNot a minority, but a flirtatious, reasonably attractive, innocent looking blonde...
Fighting BS one post at a time!
March 15th, 2013 at 6:56:38 AM
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Females always have a better chance at anything that requires brains, skill and dedication... men often only see Tits! And will ascribe any unusual characteristics in your playing strategy to your being a dumb bimbo. Female floor supervisors will often ascribe your looking around the table and the casino as trolling for men rather than looking at other player's cards being dealt.Quote: WildatHeartdo you think that female card counters have a better chance to "fly under the radar"?
March 15th, 2013 at 6:57:57 AM
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Quote: WildatHeartNot a minority, but a flirtatious, reasonably attractive, innocent looking blonde so I might be able to use the "blonde bimbo" stereotype to my advantage....lol
Yes. That will work very well.
You may already know this, but real life card counting is nothing like the movies.
Gambler: variance = friend
Advantage Player: variance = foe
"I don't have a gambling problem. I have a financial problem."
March 15th, 2013 at 7:07:20 AM
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Yes, I've already come to that conclusion. Frankly, from my limited experience at this point, counting cards seems like a bit of a grind but a potentially good way to make some extra income if I put in the time and effort.
March 15th, 2013 at 7:31:35 AM
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Quote: WildatHeartThanks for your good wishes. I'm heading to Vegas this weekend to practice my basic strategy skills and I'm a little nervous! Any advice?
Bet red chips. Between your gender and the low stakes you'll fly completely under the radar.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
March 15th, 2013 at 8:06:59 AM
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Quote: WildatHeartNot a minority, but a flirtatious, reasonably attractive, innocent looking blonde so I might be able to use the "blonde bimbo" stereotype to my advantage....lol
Yeah if you bet low stakes, as others have advised, and play up the "i'm just a blond girl" angle you should escape unwanted attention from the pit for a long time.
Good luck and welcome to the happy go lucky world of counting.
March 15th, 2013 at 8:29:28 AM
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Quote: DanMahowny
Advantage Player: variance = foe
I don't agree with this at all, Dan. Variance makes for big swings and can lead to long negative periods despite playing a +EV game...yes (I am currently down 24 grand from my blackjack results in 2013 despite playing strong +EV games and racking up over 22 grand in expected value).
BUT, it is this very variance which creates wild swings and tests both your bankroll and mental strength, that makes card counting for profit even possible. Without it, there would be tens of thousands of successful card counters swarming the casinos and the industry would have no choice but to really tighten up games and make them un-win-able (by this method of AP). So to the card counter, I say variance is your friend, your partner. But she does take some getting used to. :)
March 15th, 2013 at 9:18:52 AM
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Yeah. Relax. Play the Bimbo if you want to but don't feel its needed. Heck, some Card Counters are so subtle they have license plates that read BJ PLYR. Its no big deal.Quote: WildatHeartThanks for your good wishes. I'm heading to Vegas this weekend to practice my basic strategy skills and I'm a little nervous! Any advice?
Practice, enjoy yourself, enjoy the real thing rather than the home BJ table. Good luck.
You will have the cocktails, the atmosphere and some money...just stay from South Point.
March 15th, 2013 at 9:33:35 AM
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Quote: WildatHeartI'm a female in her mid-30's who has recently become interested in card counting both for the challenge of learning something new and possibly supplementing my income. As I do my reading, research and practice it seems as though card counting is a male dominated world. Is this an accurate perception and do you think that female card counters have a better chance to "fly under the radar"?
I've met female card counters but only one, maybe two were highly skilled. They all get away with much more than their male counterparts and none of them played the dumb blonde. Where are you with your counting? Do you know basic strategy cold? Do you prefer a certain count? Pitch games or shoes?
Many people, especially ignorant people, want to punish you for speaking the truth. - Mahatma Ghandi
March 15th, 2013 at 9:53:55 AM
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Quote: WildatHeartYes, I've already come to that conclusion. Frankly, from my limited experience at this point, counting cards seems like a bit of a grind but a potentially good way to make some extra income if I put in the time and effort.
I would say it is really not a good 'second job' to potentially make 'some extra income'. As the experts who actually do it can tell you, you need a pretty large bankroll to give it a proper chance. I believe Kewlj, who is a professional AP, has just posted he is down over 20 grand so far this year! And it is a grind. But if you have the bankroll to withstand the big swings, I think being a female would help you.
If you are thinking of doing this regularly, it requires quite a commitment. I assume you have a system memorized, and practiced for many hours. Also, I assume you know which games have too high of a built in house edge to even attempt to count.
Good luck! Keep us updated, and welcome to the forum....
March 15th, 2013 at 10:03:04 AM
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Quote: SOOPOOI believe Kewlj, who is a professional AP, has just posted he is down over 20 grand so far this year!
And down ~$46k from his expectation! Ugh. Hope it turns around!
So as others have said, OP, have basic strategy down well, and start off slow with just reds!
March 15th, 2013 at 10:38:13 AM
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I have always enjoyed playing a pit where there is an attractive female at another table.
She gets all the attention. They don't even know I'm there.
She gets all the attention. They don't even know I'm there.
"I don't have a gambling problem. I have a financial problem."
March 15th, 2013 at 10:53:53 AM
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I work with a girl that uses the pretty dark haired ditz angle to play poker.
March 15th, 2013 at 12:01:16 PM
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That's nothin'! WIGS, a hollow-core woman's channel on YouTube featured a young mother, Dakota, who used her two year old son to cheat at poker.Quote: ewjones080I work with a girl that uses the pretty dark haired ditz angle to play poker.
March 15th, 2013 at 12:27:57 PM
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Testing my memory, but seem to recall that Ian Anderson, in his early book, devoted some attention to female card counters and the natural advantage that they enjoyed. It would seem that while the book may be dated, that edge still remains.
March 15th, 2013 at 1:30:13 PM
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Quote: kewlj(I am currently down 24 grand from my blackjack results in 2013
I hope anybody thinking about playing BJ seriously
reads that and realizes its the other side of the game.
If you don't have a big enough bankroll, the game
will kill you dead, even if you're the most experienced
player in the world.
In 'Gambling Wizards', Cathy Hulbert says being a woman
card counter helped her tremendously when she played
on a BJ team. She also says she never considered doing
it on her own because the bankroll swings can be devastating.
You're working with a tiny edge over the casino, and its
possible to lose and lose and lose for long periods of time.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
March 15th, 2013 at 1:58:00 PM
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I worked with a guy named Don Stacy. His daughter Carrey dealy poker in private games until gambling was legalized in Colorado
in 1990. She then dealt in Blackhawk and was a KILLER tournament player. The guys always thought she had the NUTS and she stole many a pot with her image.
Just remembered one night this classy older woman, late 40's, but still trophy material and very very classy. But a novice at poker.
Was at her table when she first played in a live game. Every time she had the best hand, she would show it and say " I have the Balls ".
Sure was hard to keep a straight face.
in 1990. She then dealt in Blackhawk and was a KILLER tournament player. The guys always thought she had the NUTS and she stole many a pot with her image.
Just remembered one night this classy older woman, late 40's, but still trophy material and very very classy. But a novice at poker.
Was at her table when she first played in a live game. Every time she had the best hand, she would show it and say " I have the Balls ".
Sure was hard to keep a straight face.
Shed not for her
the bitter tear
Nor give the heart
to vain regret
Tis but the casket
that lies here,
The gem that filled it
Sparkles yet
